Where do you turn if you have health-based question, but it’s not urgent enough to call your doctor? Nursing students at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) know it’s sometimes hard to find up-to-date information and that’s one of the reasons why they organize an annual Health Fair.
Each fall, UFV’s fourth-year nursing students host a public health fair, where they provide face-to-face information about a number of common health issues. This year’s event took place at Sevenoaks Mall in Abbotsford on Friday, October 17. Topics covered by the nursing students include the newly introduced HPV vaccine, high blood pressure, Type II diabetes, arthritis, childhood asthma, and preventive dental care for pre-school-aged children.
UFV Nursing faculty member Sheila Edwards says it’s a great opportunity for the students to thoroughly research a health issue and then present material and resources to the public in a friendly, informative way.
With the HPV vaccine being introduced to all Grade 6 and Grade 9 girls in this school year, Edwards says her students decided it was the perfect time to openly discuss the vaccine, its benefits, and the risks of cervical cancer. Their goal is to provide health-based answers to parents, girls, and women between the ages of nine and 26 years of age, and the public in general.
The students also determined that many parents have questions about dental care for preschool children; so again, this was a topic they have researched and are hoping to share their information.
The public health fair is part of UFV’s community health course taken by fourth- year nursing students. Edwards says it is a great opportunity for the students to deal directly with the public, while learning about topical issues. UFV nursing students have hosted these public health fairs for about nine years now.
Friday, December 12, 2008
University of the Fraser Valley Nursing Students' Health Fair
Mental Health Café
Mental Health café deals with real issues in Fraser Valley communities
Don’t try to tell University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) philosophy instructor Peter Raabe that talk is cheap.
Raabe is a true believer in the power of talking about problems large and small. The North Vancouver resident introduced a Philosophy Café-style open discussion group specifically focused on mental health issues, to that community more than eight years ago. Since then a similar café group has been established in Coquitlam and a one is just taking root in Chilliwack.
The philosophy café, he explains, is an open forum for people directly affected by mental health issues. Raabe is adamant it is not a “typical self-help group” but a positive discussion that helps participants come up with ideas and suggestions about how to cope with mental health concerns and the wellness of a community.
Philosophy cafés give people a chance to discuss mental health issues affecting them and the communities where they live. Raabe says the sessions are open, friendly, and led by trained UFV students who keep the topics on track and topical.
Raabe, who is a philosophical counsellor when not teaching at the university, decided to get the students involved when he realized the concept of mental health cafés was becoming popular and his time to coordinate them was limited. A good facilitator, he says, will lead the discussion, keep it on topic, and ensure it remains respectful even though some sessions can get heated. And that’s where his UFV students come in.
“I wanted to pass on the legacy, so to speak, so I put out a call to the Psychology department for students who might be interested in taking this on.”
Eight students came forward and Raabe drafted a six-week training schedule that taught them the strengths and the exact role of good facilitator. He explains that it is a skill; good facilitators don’t dictate, they ask questions, sometimes act as the devil’s advocate to keep the conservation flowing, keep the discussion on topic, and know how to end it on time. When the UFV students completed the training, they were rewarded with three course credits they could count towards their degree.
“The students are able to apply their philosophical skills in practice. It’s a real shifting of gears for students — we’re putting them into a position of mentor or advisor for adults of many different age groups,” adds Raabe. “The students see some positive opportunities, both for themselves and for the participants, and they are really happy to be doing this.”
Four of those students continue to facilitate the mental health cafés which take place monthly in Coquitlam and now in Chilliwack. Next week, the Chilliwack café takes on the topic of the pharmaceutical industry’s impact on the mental health community.
Scott Campbell, with Chilliwack’s Mood Disorders Group, says the mental health cafés are a great opportunity for all residents of a community to come together to discuss topical issues that generally affect the community as a whole.
Raabe likens the mental health café to a book club. The group meets regularly; topics for the next gathering are generally picked at the end of a session. Anybody can attend, anybody can suggest topics, and all voices are respected and listened to.
“There is no limit to what topics they choose,” he says. “And the important part of the facilitator is to empower the group to pick its own topics. Theses groups have jelled quickly and that might be because they are looking for information and they are looking for skills to deal with mental health issues. They can also look at possible solutions. But with a philosophical discussion there are sometimes three or four solutions. It’s never a simple case of what’s right or wrong.”
The next Chilliwack mental health café takes place Saturday, Dec 13, at 1 p.m. in the Minto Room at Evergreen Hall, at 9291 Corbould Street. It is hosted by the Chilliwack Mood Disorders Group. For more information, people can contact Scott Campbell at 604-793-4906.
The Coquitlam group also meets Saturday, Dec 13 at 1 p.m at the Pinetree Community Centre, 1260 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam. The topic for the December meeting is 'Holidays and Mental Health.' For more information about the Coquitlam group, people can contact Teresa Spurr at teresa_cafe@shaw.ca
Raabe expects the idea of the mental health philosophy cafés will continue to grow and is hoping other communities start similar groups. When the need arises, he will train more students who take on the role of facilitator.
“I know of nothing else like this in Canada,” adds Raabe. “There is not another café that deals with mental health issues on a continuing basis. Now we have people who are making suggestions and coming up with possible solutions or ideas to deal with mental health issues. That’s what it’s all about.”
UFV offers a minor in Applied Ethical and Political Philosophy as part of the Bachelor of Arts program. Students can also take a variety of philosophy courses for general interest. Applications for September 2009 are currently being accepted. To find out more, visit www.ufv.ca .
LATCH-ON Literacy Program
North Island College launched LATCH-ON Literacy this past September, a literacy program developed specifically for young adults with intellectual disabilities, including Down Syndrome.
LATCH-ON, which stands for Literacy and Technology Hands-On, was initiated in 1998 at the University of Queensland in Australia by Dr. Anne Jobling, a Down Syndrome researcher, with the help of Dr. Karen Moni, a lecturer in English curriculum and literacy education. LATCH-ON was developed with a socio-cultural approach to literacy that uses a combination of technology and more traditional methods of instruction to enhance literacy development.
The program’s objectives include providing opportunities for young adults with intellectual disabilities to continue their literacy development in a post-secondary environment, using computer technology to enhance literacy, and enhancing self-concept and life opportunities (work placement) through the expected positive outcomes of improved literacy development.
North Island College welcomed both Dr. Jobling and Dr. Moni in late August where they provided a week-long intensive training session for NIC instructors, as well as for project partners from the Down Syndrome Research Foundation in Burnaby. It is expected that the program will reach up to 30 students from the North Island region during its two-year trial, 10 at each of the regional campuses located at Campbell River, Comox Valley and Port Alberni.
“This is the first time the LATCH-ON program has been offered in Canada, and we are extremely pleased that North Island College was selected as the pilot site,” says program coordinator, Sheila Doncaster, who also serves as the Chair of the Department of Access for Students with Disabilities.
Funded by the Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development, LATCH-ON is a joint project of North Island College and the Down Syndrome Research Foundation. For further information about the LATCH-ON program, please contact Sheila Doncaster at (250) 334-5079 or sheila.doncaster@nic.bc.ca.
Survey: Network for Patient Education in Canada
The Working Group on Canadian Patient Education is conducting a survey to assess patient education networking needs.
Individuals working in a patient education program at a health care centre in Canada are asked to complete an online survey
For more information or with questions contact:
Tracy Hutchings
905-537-4322 x 46620
hutchtra@hhsc.ca
OR
Farrah Schwartz
416-864-6060 x 3831
schwartzf@smh.toronto.on.ca
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A collection of health literacy curricula
Links to health literacy curricula collected after a discussion on the National Institute for Literacy Health and Literacy listserv.
"The curricula are organized by the following types: University courses, Medical School courses, Professional training programs, and Adult Basic Education/ESL/ENL program courses."
http://www.advancinghealthliteracy.com/curricula.html
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Plain Language Tools
Photo: JDurham http://photodaisy.blogspot.com
Finding a reader-friendly alternative to jargon or more complex terminology can be a challenge. The following plain language resources may help.
Plain Language Thesaurus for Health Communications
CDC National Center for Health Marketing
http://www.nphic.org/files/editor/file/thesaurus_1007.pdf
Reviewer's Guide to Evaluating Health Information Materials
by Sandra Smith, MPH, CHES
BeginningsGuides 2008
http://www.guidesforbeginnings.com/pdfs/articles/Reviewers-Guide.pdf
Plain English Lexicon: A Guide to Whether Your Words Will be Understood
Martin Cutts
Foreword by Christine Mowat, past Chair of Plain Language Association InterNational (plain)
http://www.clearest.co.uk/files/PlainEnglishLexicon.pdf
Words to Watch Fact Sheet
Pfizer Clear Health Communication Initiative
http://www.clearhealthcommunication.com/media/words-to-watch.html
Readability Toolkit
P R I SM [ Project to Review and Improve Study Materials]
Group Health Center for Health Studies
http://www.centerforhealthstudies.org/capabilities/readability/readability_home.html
Direct link to the Toolkit:
http://www.centerforhealthstudies.org/capabilities/readability/ghchs_readability_toolkit.pdf
Monday, December 08, 2008
Webcast: What is ABA and Why is it Important in the Treatment of Autism?
Presented by Suzanne Jacobsen, Ed.D., BCBA
Clinical Director, ABA Learning Centre
Webcast available from Monday, December 15, 2008
Advance registration now open.
In B.C., once parents receive a diagnosis of autism for their child, they are expected to set up a treatment program grounded on Applied Behavior Analysis. But what exactly is ABA and why is it so crucial in autism treatment? This presentation explains the differences and overlap between commonly used terms that frequently confuse parents including:
- Discrete trial
- Lovaas therapy
- Verbal Behavior
- Pivotal Response Training
- Positive Behavior Support
- Natural Environment Teaching
The Speaker: Dr. Suzanne Jacobsen is well known to professionals and parents across B.C. for her exceptional range of expertise as a diagnostician, educator, psychologist and behavior consultant. She has lectured across North America and in Asia on various aspects of autism treatment. A registered psychologist and certified teacher, Dr. Jacobsen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a member of ACT's Advisory Council.
Who Should View this Webcast? This presentation was developed for parents primarily, but community professionals have found it to be informative in broadening their understanding of the breadth of ABA. To see feedback from previous participants, see the webcast overview page.
What is a Webcast? ACT webcasts are video-taped presentations that can be viewed over the internet by anyone with a fairly new computer and a high-speed internet connection. The webcast is an edited version of the live event. Subscribers can download a copy of the same handbook available at the event. This webcast is available at the convenience of the viewer, 24/7, for the full duration of your subscription. For information on ACT's move toward webcasts, see our fall 08 newsletter, ACT on Autism (.pdf).
A brief webcast preview is available for viewing on the ACT website. This will also ensure that your computer can access the webcast successfully. For further information on webcasting, including minimum technical requirements, see our webcasts FAQ.
To register call ACT* at 604-205-5467 or 1-866-939-5188.
*Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
2008/9 subscription cost for What is ABA? (available from December 15, 2008 to December 31, 2009):
Category 1 - Individual family or para-professional or student – $35
Category 2 - Family & One-to-One Staff (focused on 1 child or siblings – 8 or fewer users) – $100
Category 3 - Individual Professional – $50
Category 4 - Small Organization (8 or fewer users) – $200
Category 5 - Large Organization (9 – 20 users) – $300
Special – Don’t find your circumstance on this list – Call or email ACT for advice!
Manual: For a preview of ACT's new Autism Manual for BC, see www.actcommunity.net/AI/Manual.htm.
Bursaries: If you are low income, ACT has some bursary funds available. Please apply for a bursary before registering. See www.actcommunity.net/Foot/bursaries.htm for more information.
Support & Information: ACT’s team of Information Officers can provide support and information on a wide range of autism-related topics and can advise on whether a workshop or webcast is appropriate for your needs.
Contact ACT by email at info@actcommunity.net
or by phone at 604-205-5467 or 1-866-939-5188.
